Angle slope level indicator and uses thereof

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to instruments for achieving improved accuracy in targeting objects from a distance. In particular, the present invention provides instruments designed to measure the slope of a reference point to an object at a distance. In addition, the present invention provides instruments designed to measure the cant level of a reference point to an object at a distance.

The present invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/763,233, filed Jan. 30, 2006, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to instruments for achieving improved accuracy in targeting objects from a distance. In particular, the present invention provides instruments designed to measure the slope of a reference point to an object at a distance. In addition, the present invention provides instruments designed to measure the cant level of a reference point to an object at a distance.

BACKGROUND

Accurately targeting an object with a weapon (e.g., rifle) requires keen perception and skill. For long-range targets, the use of a scope with the weapon greatly enhances a user's precision. However, the use of scopes does not correct for all limitations. For example, a user must account for cant level errors, and a user must account for slope and cosine measurements. What is needed are improved devices for obtaining enhanced accuracy with a weapon (e.g., rifle).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to instruments for achieving improved accuracy in targeting objects from a distance. In particular, the present invention provides instruments designed to measure the slope of a reference point to an object at a distance. In addition, the present invention provides instruments designed to measure the cant level of a reference point to an object at a distance.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides an angle slope level indicator (ASLI) device, comprising a housing secured with an attachment member, the housing having therein a slope indicator and a cant level indicator, wherein the cant level indicator is configured to display changes in cant level resulting from movement of the device, and wherein the slope indicator is configured to display changes in slope level resulting from movement of the device. In certain embodiments, the attachment member is configured for attachment onto a rifle scope. In certain embodiments, the cant level indicator is separated from the slope indicator.

In certain embodiments the present invention provides a system, comprising an ASLI device rigidly attached onto a scope. In certain embodiments, the device is used with a spotting scope, rifle, telescope, artillery launcher, or any other device that launches projectiles.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides methods of targeting an object, comprising providing an ASLI instrument secured to a shooting device (e.g., a rifle). In some such embodiments, a user views the object through the scope, measures the slope measurement with the slope indicator, measures the cant level with the cant indicator, and adjusts the aim of the object based upon the slope measurement and the cant level measurement. In some embodiments, a ballistics calculator or computer is used to further assist in aiming.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides kits comprising an ASLI instrument of the present invention and a scope.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B show an image of an ASLI instrument embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a slope gauge embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows an ASLI instrument rigidly attached onto a rifle scope.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description relates to instruments for achieving improved accuracy in targeting objects from a distance. In particular, the present invention provides instruments designed to measure the slope of a reference point to an object at a distance. In addition, the present invention provides instruments designed to measure the cant level of a reference point to an object at a distance. FIGS. 1-3 illustrate various preferred embodiments of the instruments of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to these particular embodiments.

The angle slope level indicator (ASLI) instruments provided in the present invention are designed, for example, for a sophisticated rifleman who engages targets at high or low angles. The ASLI instruments of the present invention provide fast, precise, easy to read, vertical angle information and, in some embodiments, corresponding cosine values. In addition, the ASLI instruments of the present invention provide cant leveling for retaining a bullet's flight path in line with an optical sighting. Factoring accurate cant and slope measurements into, for example, a firing solution dramatically reduces the margin of shooting error. In some embodiments, the present invention provides an ASLI instrument capable of slope and cant level measurement combined into a single, precision-engineered, hermetically sealed unit. The ASLI instruments are not limited for use with particular devices. Indeed, the ASLI instruments of the present invention are designed for use with rifles, grenade launching devices, tanks, binoculars, telescopes, hand-guns, bows, cross-bows, etc (e.g., any device requiring improved target accuracy through obtaining cant level and/or slope measurements).

FIGS. 1A-B show an image of an ASLI instrument embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1A, the ASLI instrument 100 generally comprises a measurement house 110 and an attachment member 120. The ASLI instrument 100 is not limited to a particular size. In preferred embodiments, the ASLI instrument 100 is sized such that it easily fits onto a device (e.g., a rifle scope) without creating a hindrance to a user. In preferred embodiments, the ASLI instrument 100 is designed for secure placement onto a device (e.g., a rifle scope) (described in more detail below).

Referring to FIG. 1B, the measurement house 110 has therein a casing 130 containing a cant level gauge 140 and a slope gauge 150. The casing 130 is not limited to a particular composition (e.g., plastic, metal, glass, or mixture thereof). In preferred embodiments, the composition of the casing 130 is a transparent material (e.g., glass, transparent plastic). In preferred embodiments, the composition of the casing 130 is polycarbonate. The casing 130 is not limited to a particular size. In preferred embodiments, the size of the casing 130 is such that it is able to house the cant level gauge 140 and the slope gauge 150. The casing 130 is not limited to a particular shape (e.g., square, oval, circular). In preferred embodiments, the shape of the casing 130 is oval.

Still referring to FIG. 1B, in some embodiments, the casing 130 has therein a cant level gauge chamber 160 separated from a slope gauge chamber 170. The cant level gauge chamber 160 and slope gauge chamber 170 are not limited to particular positions within the casing 130. In preferred embodiments, the cant level gauge chamber 160 is rigidly positioned above (e.g., on top of) the slope gauge chamber 170. The cant level gauge chamber 160 is not limited to a particular size. In preferred embodiments, the size of the cant level gauge chamber 160 is designed to house a cant level gauge 140 without creating a hindrance to a user. The slope gauge chamber 170 is not limited to a particular size. In preferred embodiments, the size of the slope gauge chamber 170 is designed to house a slope gauge 150 without creating a hindrance to a user.

Still referring to FIG. 1B, the casing 130 contains a cant level gauge 140. The cant level gauge 140 is not limited to a particular positioning within the casing 130. In preferred embodiments, the cant level gauge 140 is positioned within the cant level gauge chamber 160. The ASLI instrument 100 is not limited to a particular type of cant level gauge 140. In preferred embodiments, the cant level gauge 140 is a cant level sealed tube 180 with a cant level marker 190 containing a cant level liquid 200 with a cant level air-bubble 210. The cant level sealed tube 180 is not limited to a particular positioning within the cant level gauge chamber 160. In preferred embodiments, the cant level sealed tube 180 is rigidly fixed within the cant level chamber 160. The cant level marker 190 is not limited to a particular location within the cant level sealed tube 180. In preferred embodiments, the cant level marker 190 is located at the horizontal midpoint of the cant level sealed tube 180. The cant level gauge 140 is not limited to a particular type of cant level liquid 200 (e.g., water, alcohol, chloroform, or some other clear liquid). The cant level gauge 140 is not limited to a particular amount of cant level liquid 200. In preferred embodiments, the cant level gauge 140 has therein an amount of cant level liquid 200 such that only a cant level air-bubble 210 exists within the cant level sealed tube 180. The cant level air-bubble 210 is not limited to a particular size. In preferred embodiments, the size of the cant level air-bubble 210 is approximately the size of the cant level marker 190. In preferred embodiments, as an ASLI instrument 100 is rigidly attached to a device (e.g., a rifle), a user may correct for cant level inaccuracy by viewing the cant level gauge 140, and moving the device such that the cant level air-bubble 210 is aligned with the cant level marker 190.

Still referring to FIG. 1B, the casing 130 contains a slope gauge 150. The slope gauge 150 is not limited to a particular positioning within the casing 130. In preferred embodiments, the slope gauge 150 is located within the slope gauge chamber 170. The ASLI instrument 100 is not limited to a particular type of slope gauge 150. In preferred embodiments, the slope gauge 150 is a slope gauge housing 220 having therein a slope gauge wheel 230 and a slope gauge wheel axle 240.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a slope gauge 150 embodiment of the present invention. As shown, contained within the slope gauge chamber 170 is a slope gauge housing 220 having therein a slope gauge wheel 230, a slope gauge wheel axle 240, and a slope gauge housing level marker 250. The slope gauge housing 220 is not limited to a particular composition. In preferred embodiments, the composition of slope gauge housing 220 is a transparent material (e.g., plastic, glass, or mixture thereof). The slope gauge housing 220 is not limited to a particular size. In preferred embodiments, the size of the slope gauge housing 220 is such that it fits within the slope gauge chamber 170. The slope gauge housing level marker 250 is not limited to a particular location. In preferred embodiments, the slope gauge housing level marker 250 is located at the vertical midpoint of the slope gauge housing 220.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the slope gauge wheel axle 240 extends across the horizontal midpoint of the slope gauge housing 220. The slope gauge wheel axle 240 is not limited to a particular composition. The slope gauge wheel axle 240 is not limited to a particular size. In preferred embodiments, the size of the slope gauge wheel axle 240 is such that it can support the slope gauge wheel 230. In preferred embodiments, the size of the slope gauge wheel 230 is such that it fits within slope gauge housing 220. In preferred embodiments, the slope gauge wheel axle 240 is positioned through the center of the slope gauge wheel 230 thereby supporting the slope gauge wheel 230.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the slope gauge wheel 230 is not limited to a particular composition (e.g., plastic, metal, or mixture thereof). In preferred embodiments, the composition of the slope gauge wheel 230 is anodized aluminum. In preferred embodiments, the slope gauge wheel 230 has slope and cosine values printed onto the outside of the slope gauge wheel 230. In preferred embodiments, the cosine and slope values are laser engraved onto the outside of the slope gauge wheel 230. In preferred embodiments, the positioning of the slope gauge wheel 230 with the slope gauge wheel axle 240 is such that the slope gauge wheel 230 moves frontwards or backwards with movement of the ASLI instrument 100. For example, movement of the ASLI instrument 100 to a positive angle (e.g., 5 degrees, 10 degrees, 50 degrees, 90 degrees) results in movement of the slope gauge wheel 230 in a frontwards direction. For example, movement of the ASLI instrument 100 to a negative angle (e.g., −5 degrees, −10 degrees, −50 degrees, −90 degrees) results movement of the slope gauge wheel 230 in a backwards direction. In preferred embodiment, as the slope gauge wheel 230 is moved frontwards or backwards, the numerical degree of cosine and slope change through alignment of the cosine and slope values on the outside of the slope gauge wheel 230 with the slope gauge housing level marker 250. In preferred embodiments, as an ASLI instrument 100 is rigidly attached to a device (e.g., a rifle), a user may accurately gauge the slope and cosine measurements for a particular object from a distance by viewing the slope gauge 150, and reading the slope and cosine values aligned with the slope gauge housing level marker 250.

Still referring to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the attachment of the slope gauge wheel 230 with the slope gauge wheel axle 240 further serves as a cant level indicator. In such embodiments, the slope gauge wheel 230 is configured to move upwards-laterally or downwards-laterally in relation to the slope gauge housing level marker 250 so as to expose a particular cant level. In preferred embodiments, as an ASLI instrument 100 is rigidly attached to a device (e.g., a rifle), a user may correct for cant level inaccuracy by viewing the slope gauge 150, and moving the device such that the slope gauge wheel 230 is laterally aligned with the slope gauge housing level marker 250. In preferred embodiments, the slope gauge wheel 230 is magnetically dampened so as to prevent wheel oscillation and provide fast, precise readings.

Referring again to FIG. 1A, the ASLI instrument 100 has therein an attachment member 120. The ASLI instrument 100 is not limited to a particular type of attachment member 120. In preferred embodiments, the attachment member 120 is a press fit shaft designed to rigidly fit around a device (e.g., a rifle). The attachment member 120 is not limited to a particular composition. In preferred embodiments, the composition of the attachment member 120 is aluminum. The attachment member 120 is not limited to a particular design or shape. In preferred embodiments, the attachment member 120 may be designed to fit onto any type of device requiring improved target accuracy through obtaining cant level and/or slope measurements (e.g., rifles, grenade launching devices, tanks, binoculars, telescopes, hand-guns, cross-bows, etc). In preferred embodiments, the measurement house 110 is rigidly attached to the attachment member 120. The measurement house 110 may be adjusted in height in relation to the attachment member 120 while remaining rigidly attached with the attachment member 110. The attachment of the measurement house 110 is not limited to a particular manner of attachment with the attachment member 120. In preferred embodiments, the measurement house 110 is configured to attach on either side of the attachment member 120 (e.g., reversibly), above or below the attachment member 120, and at any angle to the attachment member 120.

FIG. 3 shows an ASLI instrument 100 rigidly attached onto a rifle scope. As shown, the attachment member 120 is rigidly attached with the rift scope such that the measurement house 110 is easily observed by a user. In such a configuration, a user may identify a target through the rifle scope, check for cant inaccuracy through viewing of the measurement house 110, check for cosine and slope measurements with the measurement house 110, and adjust the aim for the target accordingly.

The ASLI instruments of the present invention are designed for numerous type of uses. In preferred embodiments, the ASLI instruments are designed to improve the targeting of an object through with a scope by allowing a user the option of correcting cant level inaccuracies and adjusting an aim based upon slope measurement. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides methods of targeting an object, comprising providing an ASLI instrument secured with a scope (e.g., a rifle scope). In such embodiments, a user views the object through the scope, measures the slope measurement with the slope indicator, measures the cant level with the cant indicator, and adjusts the aim of the object based upon the slope measurement and the cant level measurement.

In certain embodiments, systems including ASLI instruments of the present invention are provided. For example, in certain embodiments, systems comprising an ASLI instrument of the present invention rigidly attached with a scope (e.g., a rifle scope) are provided. In certain embodiments, kits including ASLI instruments of the present invention are provided. For example, in certain embodiments, kits comprising an ASLI instrument of the present invention and a scope (e.g., a rifle scope) are provided.

In some embodiments, the ASLI instrument is provided as part of a shooting system. The system may comprise the ASLI instrument and any one or more shooting devices and components, including, but not limited to, a riflescope, a reticle, a firearm, ballistics software, a spotting scope, a computing device, a laser, night-vision equipment, and a device that measures or calculates an environment condition. Other shooting system components are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,681,512, 6,516,699, 6,453,595, 6,032,374, and 5,920,995, U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2005/0021282, and pending applications U.S. Ser. Nos. 10/579,119, 11/389,723, and 60/763,233, herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.

All publications and patents mentioned in the above specification are herein incorporated by reference. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention that are obvious to those skilled in the relevant fields are intended to be within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A device, comprising a housing secured with an attachment member, said housing having therein a slope indicator and a cant level indicator, wherein said cant level indicator is configured to display changes in cant level resulting from movement of said device, wherein said slope indicator is configured to display changes in slope level resulting from movement of said device, and wherein said attachment member is configured for secure attachment with a rifle or scope.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said cant level indicator is separated from said slope indicator.
 3. A system, comprising a device rigidly attached onto a scope, wherein said device comprises a housing secured with an attachment member, wherein said attachment member is rigidly attached with said scope, wherein said housing has therein a slope indicator and a cant level indicator, wherein said cant level indicator is configured to display changes in cant level resulting from movement of said system, wherein said slope indicator is configured to display changes in slope level resulting from movement of said system.
 4. A method of targeting an object, comprising a) providing a device rigidly attached onto a scope, wherein said device comprises a housing secured with an attachment member, wherein said attachment member is rigidly attached with said scope, wherein said housing has therein a slope indicator and a cant level indicator, wherein said cant level indicator is configured to display changes in cant level resulting from movement of said system, wherein said slope indicator is configured to display changes in slope level resulting from movement of said system; and b) viewing said object through said scope; c) measuring the slope measurement for said scope based upon said viewing of said object with said slope indicator; d) measuring the cant level for said scope based upon said viewing of said object with said cant indicator; and e) adjusting said viewing based upon said measured cant level and said measured slope measurement. 